Written question asked by Lady Hermon (Ulster Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 24 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 January 2006. It was answered by David Cairns (Labour) on Wednesday, 7 June 2006 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Geddis Farm

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take action to stop the fire burning at the Geddis Farm in Helen's Bay, North Down; and what research has been undertaken by his Department into the environmental damage caused by this fire.

Answer: The legal responsibility for stopping the fire burning at Geddis' Farm rests with North Down borough council. This can be achieved by use of Article 28 of the Waste and Contaminated Land (NI) Order 1997.The Department of the Environment's Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) is able to take prosecution action for the treatment of waste on an unlicensed site. EHS initiated a prosecution case against Mr. Geddis for the unauthorised disposal of waste. The case was heard on 15 February 2006 and Mr. Geddis was found guilty, in his absence. However, he subsequently was able to convince the court to set aside his convictions because he claimed that he had contacted the Public Prosecution Service to request an adjournment. A date for a new hearing has yet to be arranged.EHS has not undertaken any research into the environmental damage caused by the fire.

Secondary information